Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse faces a complex roster puzzle with a surplus of forward depth following the franchise’s coaching change. According to reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Penguins hired Muse in June following the April dismissal of long-time coach Mike Sullivan, who missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons before joining the New York Rangers.
Navigating Forward Surplus and Trade Talks
General manager and president Kyle Dubas confirmed to reporters that he weighed the coaching transition for a considerable period before making the move. The Penguins maintain a surplus of forwards while remaining engaged in trade talks regarding veterans Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, though the front office has yet to receive offers compelling enough to move either player. Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari, and Danton Heinen also remain on the roster, leaving potential roster movement open ahead of the season.
Evaluating Line Combinations and Young Talent
Muse inherits a roster featuring established stars alongside emerging young talent, giving the first-year NHL head coach ample opportunity to experiment with line combinations. While the combination of Bryan Rust, Sidney Crosby, and Rickard Rakell produced strong results last season, Muse may separate them to give young forward Rutger McGroarty extended minutes alongside Crosby.
McGroarty demonstrated chemistry with Crosby during a brief eight-game sample late last season. Data shows the duo registered a 59.8 percent CF% rate, controlled 61.18 percent of expected goals, and generated 66.6 percent of high-danger chances. McGroarty secured his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues on April 3 during a 6-on-5 situation, scoring with 23.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
Ville Koivunen also earned playing time down the stretch alongside Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Koivunen displayed strong playmaking skills at five-on-five and on the power play, providing Malkin with more consistent linemates than he saw during the previous campaign. Meanwhile, down in the bottom six, Muse could potentially pair Tommy Novak and Philip Tomasino, who previously showed on-ice chemistry while playing in Nashville.
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